Former Cardinal High math teacher accused of sexual imposition

A former math teacher at Cardinal High School in Middlefield is accused of sexual imposition for allegedly touching minors.

Middlefield Police arrested Samuel Paskey, of 363 Sawmill Court in Cortland, Tuesday on three separate sexual imposition charges that span from August 2010 to September 2011. Each is a third-degree misdemeanor.

School officials had placed Paskey on administrative leave Feb. 26 based on statements from several students gathered as part of an ongoing investigation initiated by district administrators, according to Geauga County Educational Service Center Superintendent Matt Galemmo, who is serving as the interim district leader.

"All statements that we had from students were given to the police and (they) did their investigation based on some of the comments," Galemmo said. "That was what probably led to the indictment."

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No arraignment date has been scheduled for Paskey as of Tuesday. If convicted on all sexual imposition counts, Paskey faces up to six months in jail.

Galemmo said administrators asked for Paskey's resignation earlier this month.

"We expressed our concerns and we just felt it was best for the school system to go with the separation," he said.

Paskey's resignation which was based on personal reasons and submitted on March 14 was accepted by the board.

Galemmo said the resignation halts any investigation school administrators were previously conducting. Consequently, any new information received by the district will be directly submitted to law enforement authorities and the Ohio Department of Education.

The superintendent said that when Paskey was put on administrative leave a letter was sent to parents alerting them that an investigation was taking place and all appropriate authorities had been notified.

"I just found out he was indicted (Tuesday) when I walked into the office," Galemmo said. "I anticipated some of that but until something happens that's their decision and they have to base it on what they've investigated.